After congratulating Jay Rock and the other winners from Sunday’s Grammys ceremony, previous winner Lupe Fiasco explained why fans getting mad about his own Drogas Wave not getting a nomination is misguided before diving into details on his well-known problems with the music business at large.
“That’s like getting mad at McDonald’s for not having Whoppers,” Lupe tweets in response to a fan saying they were “very disappointed” that Lupe’s album wasn’t nominated.
Lupe shared his experience with the major label system, which he describes as “damn near a mob cartel.” He recalled once asking music executive (and former WMG boss) Lyor Cohen for rights to his master recordings in exchange for a 360 deal. Ultimately, according to Fiasco, Cohen strongly suggested a lack of promotion for his new album if he failed to ink the paperwork.
Lupe goes on to say that he is the most blackballed rapper in the history of rap.
I’m the most blackballed rapper in the history of rap. 🤣
Lotta enemigas… https://t.co/yVCzs6sciT
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
That’s like getting mad at McDonald’s for not having Whoppers https://t.co/TBwCAl7x1s
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
This tho…
LoI once asked Lyor for my masters in exchange for signing a 360 deal & he said “Do I want them like in a suitcase to carry around?” A greatest hit from Among all the other wild shit some of these white record execs have said 2 me with a straight face in private. https://t.co/gh7z9osd7d
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
He then followed it up with “If you don’t sign it i cant guarantee we are still gonna promote your albums.”
From that point forward i knew my career was over lol.
This is all 100% true with witnesses. Hahaha… https://t.co/aSpVsl0qFL
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
I don’t know if he was shocked that I knew the 360 Program Atlantic had didn’t really add any value to an artist at the time and the only real equity was the music IP (masters) because the million dollar advances were just instant debt or what. It was surreal https://t.co/IuTfJD0ZSG
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
It’s not that clear though. Becuz its dudes legit poor coming into these labels and a million dollar advance is life changing. People prey on that. So it’s not necessarily a knowledge issue it’s a “Pay my bills by any means necessary” type issue even if it means signing some shit https://t.co/8zcT9pIcJz
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
I didn’t sign it. I’m not ignorant at all. I started my first business at 19. Plus the music business atleast what i went through at Atlantic wasnt a business it was damn near a mob cartel. Real grimey Gangsta shit. I had $ so i didnt really care. I was speaking on other artists https://t.co/FOaWB2LSfC
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
Basically lol…this was right after the cool went gold…and y’all know the history after that lol…it was a bloodbath https://t.co/DrVbRgehsm
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
I would’ve stopped making music after the cool.
But my OG Big U called me out the blue and said as a Muslim and a as man I had to fulfill my obligations that I signed my name to no matter the costs. Basically boss up and get through it and rebuild once your out. 💪🏾 https://t.co/jHptAAmFMH
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019
Congrats to the winners…especially Jay Rock. As much as folks think I hate TDE I actually admire the movement and it’s dope to see the foundation of the clique get his time in the sun. One time for the real. 🏆
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 11, 2019